A second 48 hour strike on the London Underground has been called off after Transport for London reached an agreement with two unions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union and Transport Saleried Staffs' Association (TSSA) had been due to strike from 9pm tonight and talks had been taking place to avert the industrial action.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today: "After two days of intensive and detailed discussions through the offices of ACAS we have now received proposals that halt the implementation of the job cuts, which gives us the opportunity to discuss all of the issues away from the pressure cooker.

“We now have a golden opportunity to look again in detail at all of the concerns we have raised about the impact of the cuts on our members and the services that they provide to Londoners. That is exactly what we have been calling for throughout this dispute."

A spokesman for TSSA added: "We have now agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety and job losses will be seriously addressed through the normal channels."

Bob Crow, leader of RMT

The walk­out was called over plans by TfL, and backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson, to close all all ticket offices on the Underground network, which would result in loss of 950 jobs. TfL said the move would save £50m a year.

RMT boss Bob Crow warned that strike action was suspended and could resume if talks stall.

He said: “It is unfortunate that we were forced and provoked into a dispute that we never wanted and we are now in a position to move on with the clear understanding that our action is suspended but if there is any further attempt to impose change from above the action will go back on.”

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Update 5pm: John Allan, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small firms in London and surrounding counties will be relieved the planned strike action has been suspended. A snap poll of members in the area found that businesses were affected by last week’s action to the tune of £600 million. This is not something the economy can afford right now. Small firms hope to see an end to further potential strikes, which will only damage growth."